Now that I’m traveling again, it has come time for me, once again, to give a much needed hostel shout out to an awesome place. This one is particularly special. It took me in during time of global pandemic, treated me like family, provided me comfort, and reminded me of the sheer joy of wander and adventure. This glorious place is located in the Serbia capital, Belgrade, and goes by the name of Sun Hostel. Here is my story.

It was early and everyone was tired at the time I arrived.

I arrived early on a Tuesday morning. I was jetlagged and fatigued, plus a little nervous on how I’d be recieved (seeing as I had just come from a country ravaged by covid). Thankfully, there was no need to worry. Instead, little did I know, that this would become a place to rejoyce. Anyway, back to the arrival. I stumbled in at 6 am, and was warmly greeted a host named Andrjana (who had awesome blue hair to match her one-of-a-kind personality). After that, I made my way up to the room (as I was still quite jetlagged and sleep deprived), and to my most wonderful surprise, I entered a large room with not one, but three beds all for me. Just 17 euro per night too. I instantly fell onto the largest one and slept. Right away

My look when seeing the room, all for myself.

The whole place kept the perfect balance of relaxed and social. You could kick back and be yourself, find someone to chat and have a drink with, as well as go to sleep without worrying about someone obnoxiously blasting music throughout the place. Faces around the hostel quickly became familiar for me, as most of the guests were long term and the staff members often stayed over even when it wasn’t their shift. No one ever seemed confrontational, and whatever time of the day it was (except the morning, since it is Serbia by the way), there would always be someone to laugh and share stories with. From the beginning, I felt accepted as a member of the sun hostel family, and by that, I mean the good kind of family, not the one that fights at holidays and neglects each other.

However, no discussion of Sun Hostel could be complete without talking about the celebratory atmosphere resonating thoughout the place. Before coming, I had heard that Serbians knew how to have fun, but Sun Hostel set that standard at a whole new level (and keep in mind, my visit was during the covid pandemic, where very few people were traveling and the place was half empty). Whenever it was someone’s birthday, a guest’s last night, or just because the time felt right, chill celebrations with food and drink were a must. Even with the rakija, they were unforgettable (and worth the next morning hangover). Andrjana, Mara, Kristina, and everyone else knew how to make sure everyone had fun.

My 20 days there were not nearly enough, and upon leaving, I’m already planning for a return. Before I finish this post, I just also want to point out that the rooms are really comfortable and spacious, the paintings on the walls are so cool (I was told they are from Tanzania), and there is even a hostel bunny rabbit named Dule (Doo-leh). He is great company and super fluffy, as seen in the picture below.

Alright, I think I’ve made my point. Visit Belgrade and stay here. If you have the time, stay for a while and become part of the family. Oh, and by the way, try one of Andrijana’s plasma shakes. Trust me, they’re wonderful. Special thanks to Andrijana, Mara, Kristina, Richard, Joe, Sally, Andreas, and all the rest. That’s enough from me now, just do your part and come visit.